MONROVIA, LIBERIA — In a tribute that underscores the enduring influence of faith-based leadership and educational service in Liberia, United Methodist University (UMU) has officially named its Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry Program after one of the country’s most respected educators, church leaders, and nation-builders, Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar Sr.
The historic recognition, bestowed through the university’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies, celebrates a lifetime of contributions that have shaped Christian ministry, education, healthcare, community development, and cultural preservation across Liberia.
The ceremony, held at the Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church in Sinkor, brought together church leaders, educators, students, government officials, and community members to honor a man whose decades of service have impacted thousands of lives throughout the country.
The newly renamed Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry Program is intended to preserve and extend the legacy of a leader whose work has transcended denominational, educational, and social boundaries.
Born on April 5, 1930, in No. 3B Chiefdom, Doun Karngar’s Town, Grand Bassa County, Rev. Dr. Karngar built a distinguished career that combined academic excellence, religious leadership, and advocacy for community empowerment.
His educational journey began with the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Liberia, which he earned in 1962. He later obtained a Master’s degree in School Administration and Curriculum Development from Point Loma College in Pasadena, California, United States, before earning a Doctorate in Religious Education and Ministry from Georgia Andersonville Seminary.
Over the years, those academic achievements became the foundation for a life devoted to teaching, spiritual development, and national service.
One of Rev. Dr. Karngar’s most significant accomplishments came in 1961 when he founded the World Wide Missions of Liberia, an indigenous Bassa Christian denomination dedicated to advancing Christianity while simultaneously promoting education, healthcare, and community development.
What began as a local ministry has grown into a substantial national institution. Today, the denomination operates 76 churches across 10 districts and serves more than 15,000 members throughout Liberia.
The organization has also expanded its social impact through the management of two health centers, one hospital, and three senior high schools, demonstrating a commitment to addressing both the spiritual and practical needs of communities.
His decades of dedication have earned widespread recognition both nationally and internationally.
In 2006, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf conferred upon Rev. Dr. Karngar the rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa during Liberia’s 160th Independence Anniversary celebrations, one of the country’s highest honors.
In March 2011, the Government of Liberia, through the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation and represented by then Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, named a multimillion-dollar complex in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, in his honor.
Additional recognitions followed, including a special honor from the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2016 and a distinguished community service award from the United Bassa Organizations in the Americas in 2022.
Delivering the keynote address, Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, Samuel J. Quire Jr., described the occasion as more than a naming ceremony.
According to Bishop Quire, the event represented a celebration of a legacy rooted in faith, service, education, and unwavering commitment to humanity.
“Today, we are not merely naming a program; we are celebrating a legacy,” Bishop Quire declared. “Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar’s life has been a testament to faithful service, Christian education, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His impact on the Church and society will continue to inspire generations to come.”
The bishop noted that the newly established program serves as a lasting reminder that the Church’s greatest investment lies not in buildings or institutions alone but in preparing leaders capable of serving both God and humanity with compassion, integrity, humility, and excellence.
He further emphasized that Rev. Dr. Karngar’s name has become synonymous with scholarship, faithfulness, service, and visionary leadership.
“A good name is more desirable than great riches, and Rev. Dr. Karngar has earned a name that is synonymous with faithfulness, leadership, scholarship, and service,” Bishop Quire stated. “It is fitting that future pastors, chaplains, and caregivers will be trained under a program that bears his name.”
Bishop Quire also highlighted the importance of Clinical Pastoral Education, describing it as a discipline that prepares ministers to care for individuals holistically by addressing spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.
He encouraged students who will pass through the program to emulate Rev. Dr. Karngar’s commitment to service, humility, and transformational leadership.
“The legacy of Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar teaches us that true greatness is not measured by titles or possessions, but by lives touched, communities transformed, and faith passed on to future generations,” he said.
Adding her voice to the celebration, Interim President of United Methodist University, Cllr. Medina A. Wesseh, praised Rev. Dr. Karngar’s extraordinary contributions to education, Christian leadership, cultural preservation, and national development.
She described him as a visionary leader whose dedication to the advancement of the Bassa people and Liberia as a whole continues to serve as an inspiration.
“His unwavering commitment to the progress, dignity, and advancement of the Bassa people, as well as his service to Liberia as a whole, stands as a shining example of visionary and selfless leadership,” Cllr. Wesseh said. “Through his tireless efforts, he has inspired countless individuals and contributed significantly to the growth and development of our nation.”
According to her, Rev. Dr. Karngar’s achievements demonstrate that meaningful leadership is measured not by personal gain but by the positive impact one leaves on society.
The most emotional moment of the ceremony came when Rev. Dr. Karngar himself addressed attendees and responded to the recognition.
Expressing deep gratitude, he thanked United Methodist University and all those who played a role in establishing the program in his honor.
“My fellow servants of the Most High God—men and women called to serve both God and humanity—I am deeply humbled by this honor and grateful for your decision to establish and name this program, ‘The Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry,'” he said.
Using the occasion to encourage Christian leaders, Rev. Dr. Karngar stressed the importance of faith as the foundation of effective ministry and community transformation.
“As we celebrate this occasion, let us do so to the glory of God alone,” he stated. “The words of Mark 11:22 continue to guide my life and ministry: ‘Have faith in God.’ Faith is the binding cord that holds our ministries, churches, and communities together.”
Drawing from his Bassa heritage, he quoted a traditional proverb: “Sah-dah kpah ku dyi keh, oh yohn wahn-in bibi dyi,” which emphasizes the inseparable relationship between unity and faith.
He reminded Christian leaders that ministry must remain people-centered rather than focused on material gain.
“My prayer is that this Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry Program will prepare generations of faithful pastors, chaplains, counselors, and Christian leaders who will serve with compassion, integrity, humility, and unwavering faith,” he concluded.
University officials explained that the mission of the Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry Program is to provide interfaith pastoral training designed to strengthen spiritual care skills, personal development, and reflective ministry practices among clergy and aspiring clergy.
The program combines theological education with experiential learning, allowing participants to develop pastoral competence, professional identity, and practical effectiveness in both clinical and community-based settings.
According to university leaders, the decision to name the program after Rev. Dr. Karngar reflects a desire to preserve a legacy that embodies faith, scholarship, service, and community transformation.
Officials expressed confidence that future graduates of the program will carry forward the values that have defined Rev. Dr. Karngar’s life and ministry for more than six decades.
As the institution looks toward the future, the newly established Rev. Dr. Abba G. Karngar Clinical Pastoral Education and Ministry Program stands not only as a tribute to one man’s extraordinary journey but also as an enduring investment in the next generation of pastors, chaplains, counselors, and Christian leaders committed to serving God and humanity with excellence, compassion, and unwavering faith.
